Mike Welch
Mike Welch is a senior product leader at Index Exchange, one of the most prominent independent advertising exchanges in the programmatic ecosystem. As SVP of Product, he oversees the strategic direction and execution of the company's core marketplace technologies, including header bidding infrastructure, supply path optimization (SPO) tools, and publisher monetization solutions. His work sits at the intersection of publisher empowerment and advertiser efficiency, making him a key figure in efforts to bring greater transparency and accountability to programmatic supply chains. Welch has been a driving force behind Index Exchange's product evolution during a period of significant consolidation and complexity in the ad tech industry. His focus on supply chain integrity and marketplace efficiency reflects broader industry priorities around reducing intermediary bloat and improving the quality of programmatic transactions. Under his product leadership, Index Exchange has continued to differentiate itself as an independent alternative to walled gardens and large platform players. His expertise spans the technical and strategic dimensions of programmatic advertising, with particular depth in header bidding architecture and the mechanics of real-time bidding marketplaces. Welch is recognized within the industry for building products that address real friction points for both publishers and buyers, contributing to Index Exchange's reputation as a trusted, neutral marketplace operator.
Last updated Feb 27, 2026 by ATDb automated enrichment · Connections updated Feb 28, 2026
- Years in industry
- 15 years
Bio
Mike Welch is a senior product leader at Index Exchange, one of the most prominent independent advertising exchanges in the programmatic ecosystem. As SVP of Product, he oversees the strategic direction and execution of the company's core marketplace technologies, including header bidding infrastructure, supply path optimization (SPO) tools, and publisher monetization solutions. His work sits at the intersection of publisher empowerment and advertiser efficiency, making him a key figure in efforts to bring greater transparency and accountability to programmatic supply chains. Welch has been a driving force behind Index Exchange's product evolution during a period of significant consolidation and complexity in the ad tech industry. His focus on supply chain integrity and marketplace efficiency reflects broader industry priorities around reducing intermediary bloat and improving the quality of programmatic transactions. Under his product leadership, Index Exchange has continued to differentiate itself as an independent alternative to walled gardens and large platform players. His expertise spans the technical and strategic dimensions of programmatic advertising, with particular depth in header bidding architecture and the mechanics of real-time bidding marketplaces. Welch is recognized within the industry for building products that address real friction points for both publishers and buyers, contributing to Index Exchange's reputation as a trusted, neutral marketplace operator.
Expertise & education
Expertise
Speaking topics
Recognition
Notable achievements
- Led product strategy for Index Exchange's header bidding solutions, helping the company maintain its position as a leading independent exchange
- Drove development of supply path optimization initiatives aimed at reducing programmatic supply chain complexity for both publishers and advertisers